DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0065
48 DOMESTIC HABITS OF.THE EGYPTIANS.
The Egyptians do not appear to have had any vases in imita-
tion of skins, occasionally found in Greece; and if the remark
of Pasiteles, quoted by Pliny, that pottery was the parent of
the arts, both in stone and metal, is correct in. regard to
Greece, it applies equally to Egypt. It must, however, be
observed that when art has so far advanced as to keep the
styles of pottery, stone, and metal vases distinct, it is an error
to copy exactly any one of them in the material of the other;
and a certain difference is required in the form and treatment
of each, conventional object, according as it is to be of metal,
glass, pottery, stone, or other dissimilar substance. In some
instances the peculiar form may be suited to more than one
material, and the Greeks and Etruscans have copied some metal
vases, with success, in earthenware; though the early Greek
potters only find an excuse for their imitation of basket-work
in their rude jars, from the want of taste in a primitive age.
Some Egyptian vases in gold and silver were richly inlaid or
studded with precious stones, and like their bracelets and other
articles of jewellery were enamelled in brilliant colours. For,
thougu in most of these, the vitrified substances were inlaid in
the metal, previously chiselled out to receive them, one
instance of real enamel has been found ; and this remark of
Pliny, " the Egyptians paint their silver cups, representing
Anubis upon them ; the metal being painted—not engraved—".
seems to point out enamel in contradistinction to the ordinary
inlaid work. It is true he speaks of the silver having an alloy of
copper and sulphur; but Pliny seldom understood the pro-
cesses by which the effects he describes were produced.
The glass and porcelain cups were equally varied, and the use
of glass was known in Egypt at a most remote age, as I shall
have occasion to show in mentioning the trade of glass-blowers.
Among the most beautiful prcductions of this manufacture were
The Egyptians do not appear to have had any vases in imita-
tion of skins, occasionally found in Greece; and if the remark
of Pasiteles, quoted by Pliny, that pottery was the parent of
the arts, both in stone and metal, is correct in. regard to
Greece, it applies equally to Egypt. It must, however, be
observed that when art has so far advanced as to keep the
styles of pottery, stone, and metal vases distinct, it is an error
to copy exactly any one of them in the material of the other;
and a certain difference is required in the form and treatment
of each, conventional object, according as it is to be of metal,
glass, pottery, stone, or other dissimilar substance. In some
instances the peculiar form may be suited to more than one
material, and the Greeks and Etruscans have copied some metal
vases, with success, in earthenware; though the early Greek
potters only find an excuse for their imitation of basket-work
in their rude jars, from the want of taste in a primitive age.
Some Egyptian vases in gold and silver were richly inlaid or
studded with precious stones, and like their bracelets and other
articles of jewellery were enamelled in brilliant colours. For,
thougu in most of these, the vitrified substances were inlaid in
the metal, previously chiselled out to receive them, one
instance of real enamel has been found ; and this remark of
Pliny, " the Egyptians paint their silver cups, representing
Anubis upon them ; the metal being painted—not engraved—".
seems to point out enamel in contradistinction to the ordinary
inlaid work. It is true he speaks of the silver having an alloy of
copper and sulphur; but Pliny seldom understood the pro-
cesses by which the effects he describes were produced.
The glass and porcelain cups were equally varied, and the use
of glass was known in Egypt at a most remote age, as I shall
have occasion to show in mentioning the trade of glass-blowers.
Among the most beautiful prcductions of this manufacture were